Episode 19 recap: Zhang Ze Zhong's Trouble from Speaking Out
In Episode 19, Aunt Zhang takes Du Man Tang to find Pierre, claiming they’re there to apprehend him, but it turns out to be a misunderstanding. Pierre has been teaching Argentine Spanish and even made some extra money from it, enough to buy coffee beans. However, Aunt Zhang doesn’t believe him and insists on stopping his students to clarify the situation. The students explain they’re about to go abroad and are learning some foreign language from Pierre, paying him in cash since he doesn’t accept mobile payments. After hearing this, Aunt Zhang is left speechless.
Meanwhile, Zhang Ze Zhong is discussing work with Mr. Liu. Zhang Ze Zhong mentions he plans to visit an art exhibition on Saturday before heading to Guangzhou. Mr. Liu panics, pointing out that he has to teach Xi Xi that day. Zhang Ze Zhong thinks of asking Mrs. Liu, and just then she appears, suggesting they go to the art exhibition first and that there’s plenty of time to take a photo.
Mr. Liu, however, is not pleased, arguing that it’s more than just a simple picture, and he blames Mrs. Liu for not letting him teach Xi Xi. Mrs. Liu gets angry, saying Mr. Liu has become famous and forgotten who supported him in the beginning. During their argument, Zhang Ze Zhong overhears their conversation, particularly the bits about Xi Xi and Mr. Liu, which makes him suspicious.
Zhang Ze Zhong uses the excuse of needing food to find out that no one is eating the steak, so he takes it to go. Before leaving, he comforts Mr. Liu, saying that it’s normal for couples to argue. Mr. Liu complains that Mrs. Liu makes all the big and small decisions at home, leaving him unable to save even a little pocket money.
Zhang Ze Zhong then suggests a way to help Mr. Liu by proposing they sell the paintings in the art village together. Mr. Liu, however, refuses, insisting that his works are art, not merchandise.
At that moment, the power goes out in the alley, and Aunt Zhang, stuck in a massage chair, calls out for Du Man Tang. He tries to help but realizes they need power to get her out. He rushes off with a flashlight to find the problem. He discovers that several tenants have improperly installed air conditioning units, causing multiple power outages this month. Du Man Tang scolds them and calls Aunt Zhang to handle the situation. Ultimately, Aunt Zhang has the three tenants help retrieve photos from Pierre's computer, letting them off the hook for their power theft.
Meanwhile, Zhang Ze Zhong takes it upon himself to change Mr. Liu's schedule, hoping to get him to give a lecture at a school. This school is where Zhang Ze Zhong was previously fired, and the principal hopes Mr. Liu can teach art to the kids. To facilitate this, Zhang Ze Zhong pretends to be on good terms with Mr. Liu and shares several personal details with the principal. Unfortunately, the announcement isn’t muted, and the entire school hears it, including Mr. Liu.
As a result, Zhang Ze Zhong loses his job, while Pierre suggests Du Man Tang consider opening a coffee shop, to which Du Man Tang replies that he’ll think about it.
Comments(Episode 19)